Rehberg: Corporations are People

Helena, Mont. — As Montana’s century-old tradition of keeping unlimited corporate money out of politics took a blow in court yesterday, Congressman Dennis Rehberg is doubling down on his belief that corporations are people.

Here’s what Rehberg said on a right-wing talk show* earlier this month:

Question: “Your thoughts on are corporations people, of course a criticism of Citizens United.”

Rehberg Answer: “The courts have made a determination that they are, so far be it for me to question the philosophy and the decision-making of the United States Supreme Court.”

Thanks to the Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision, which gives corporations the same rights as people, corporate special interests can spend unlimited money to influence elections through anonymous front groups. And they’ve already spent over $2 million in Montana to try to buy a Senate seat for Congressman Rehberg.

“It’s no surprise that Congressman Rehberg believes corporate special interests are people — they’re his longtime friends,” said Ted Dick, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party. “Shadowy corporate front groups are spending big money on negative ads to repay Congressman Rehberg because he’s given them whatever they want. They know Congressman Rehberg will protect their special interests, like tax loopholes for corporations that ship jobs overseas, even if it means putting Medicare and Social Security at risk.”